Lignin based production of commodity chemicals and fuels from plant biomass

Date:31 May 2022

Country: China Sweden

Application

• The project has various applications, including medicinal chemistry, antitumor compounds, and the production of commodity chemicals and fuels.

Description

This project focuses on developing a sustainable method to break down lignin, a complex organic polymer found in plant biomass, into valuable chemicals. The traditional pulping process only upgrades cellulose, leaving behind lignin, which is often burned or wasted. Researchers have developed a metal-free, eco-friendly protocol using oxoammonium salts to selectively cleave C-C bonds in lignin oil, producing high-value monomeric compounds, such as 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone (DMBQ), with yields exceeding the theoretical maximum. This innovative approach has the potential to transform the chemical industry by utilizing plant residues instead of fossil fuels.

Pathway Description:

The project utilizes a process of oxidative cleavage of C-C bonds in lignin oil using oxoammonium salts, specifically Bobbitt's salt.